September 13, 1999
Dear Senator Moynihan:
Thank you for your August 4, 1999 letter to Anne Saile, Director, Office of Professional Medical Conduct (OPMC), regarding Dr. Joseph Burrascano's treatment of Lyme disease patients. You inquire as to what OPMC's position is on the matter.
The Office of Professional Medical Conduct is often faced with the challenge of identifying legitimate, recognized and authoritative opinions in medicine regarding the diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of a variety of medical conditions. We have had similar experiences with other diseases. In these instances, the Office relies heavily on recognized independent medical expert opinions to assist in formulating what are the accepted standards of practice and care to best protect the patient-public. It is reasonable to apply this investigative strategy for patients with either Lyme disease or its presumed diagnosis.
In the case of Lyme disease, the Centers for Disease Control, the American Lyme Disease Foundation, the Medical Letter (an independent publication that offers unbiased evaluations of drugs to physicians, etc.) and a host of other sources have provided guidance for the standard care of Lyme disease. Rarely, if ever, have these published guidelines indicated that anything more than two-three weeks of antibiotics are required to cure Lyme disease.
While I am constrained by the Public Health Law from making specific comment on any matters under investigation by OPMC, I can assure you the Department of Health is committed to ensuring that New York residents receive the services they require and that physicians provide quality of care that meets or exceeds standards established by state and federal regulations.
Please feel free to contact me regarding this or any other matter. Thank you for bringing your concerns to our attention.
Sincerely,
Wayne M. Osten
Director
Office of Health Systems Management
